'Cancer is just everywhere': could farming be behind Iowa's unfolding health crisis?

[babylonsister]

‘Cancer is just everywhere’: could farming be behind Iowa’s unfolding health crisis?
A new study probes possible ties to pesticides, nitrates and other farm-related risks
Carey Gillam in Indianola, Iowa
Wed 18 Jun 2025 10.00 EDT


Six months ago, Alex Hammer was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 37. Dianne Chambers endured surgery, chemotherapy and dozens of rounds of radiation to fight aggressive breast cancer, and Janan Haugen spends most days helping care for her 16-year-old grandson, who is still being treated for brain cancer he developed at the age of 7.

The three were among a group of about two dozen people who came together last week in a small town in central Iowa to share their experiences of cancer. They are part of a new research project investigating potential environmental causes for what the American Cancer Society’s advocacy arm calls a cancer “crisis.”

For the last few years, Iowa has had the second-highest rate of cancer in the nation, and is only one of two US states where cancer is increasing.

“People in rural communities are getting sick. Cancer is just everywhere,” said Kerri Johannsen, senior director of policy at the Iowa Environmental Council, a non-profit focused on improving the environment that is helping to lead the project. “Every person I talk to knows somebody that has [recently] had a cancer diagnosis,” she said. “It’s just a constant drumbeat. It’s scary.”

more...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/18/iowa-farm-chemicals-cancer

[BoRaGard]

1. d'oh

[cbabe]

2. This has been known for decades. It's the political will to act which is missing.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2231435/

Cancer health effects of pesticides

Can Fam Physician. 2007 Oct;53(10):1704–1711.
…

SYNTHESIS
Most studies on non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia showed positive associations with pesticide exposure. Some showed dose-response relationships, and a few were able to identify specific pesticides. Children’s and pregnant women’s exposure to pesticides was positively associated with the cancers studied in some studies, as was parents’ exposure to pesticides at work. Many studies showed positive associations between pesticide exposure and solid tumours. The most consistent associations were found for brain and prostate cancer. An association was also found between kidney cancer in children and their parents’ exposure to pesticides at work. These associations were most consistent for high and prolonged exposures. Specific weaknesses and inherent limitations in epidemiologic studies were noted, particularly around ascertaining whether and how much exposure had taken place.

CONCLUSION
Our findings support attempts to reduce exposure to pesticides. Reductions are likely best achieved through decreasing pesticide use for cosmetic (non-commercial) purposes (where children might be exposed) and on the job.
In recent years, few environmental issues have aroused public concern as much as use of and exposure to pesticides, especially with respect to children’s health. Despite many published studies on the relationships between exposure to pesticides and human health, deep controversy surrounds these associations. Since the Supreme Court ruling in 2001 allowing the municipality of Hudson, Que, to pass a bylaw restricting use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes (non-commercial use), many municipalities across the country have passed similar bylaws. Cosmetic use of pesticides remains a complex issue involving arguments about the rights of lawn-care companies and property owners, and increasingly, the effects of pesticides on health. Because randomized controlled trials on the health effects of potentially harmful chemicals cannot be conducted and because of the difficulty of measuring exposure to pesticides and the limitations innate in observational studies, we are still unsure about the effects of pesticides on human health.

… more …

[Scrivener7]

3. Gee. Could it really?

Even the Guardian is playing the game.

[Deep State Witch]

4. But Let's Cut Back on Rural Hospitals!

And deny people Medicaid.

[Demovictory9]

5. Trump cut research grants focused on cancer..and no more researched focused on groups

No DEI cancer studies

[ProudMNDemocrat]

6. Yeah! Nor can we forget that women and children are considered DEI.

[Maru Kitteh]

8. Anyone not White Christian Straight Male with XY chromosomes is DEI.

Default male not only as default human, but the only TRUE humans.

[Maru Kitteh]

7. Well NO SHIT.